A thorough examination of the lungs involves inspection, percussion, palpitation, and auscultation. The examination usually begins with the back, with percussion and auscultation starting lateral to the upper spine and then moving down, alternating between the left and the right side for comparison. The right middle lobe is best assessed from the front. Abnormalities on one side of the lung, e.g., dullness to percussion, increased tactile fremitus, or dry crackles, should always be compared to t